KEP (Courier, Express, and Parcel Delivery) services are provided by logistics service providers, who, through the speed of transport of goods, weight and volume of shipments, and additional service, differentiate themselves from regular carriers and freight forwarders.
Brief description
KEP services deal with parcels of low weight and volume (up to 31 kg) and deliver them in a relatively short time from sender to recipient. However, the separate concepts of courier, express or parcel services are now mixed together, formerly there was the following division:
- Courier services
These services, also known as couriers or messengers, usually handle very small shipments in person from sender to recipient. The service is set on individuality (there are no set routes of travel) and speed. For example, bicycle couriers in cities.
- Carriage of parcels
These companies are system service providers that provide rapid transportation due to a high degree of standardization. Shipments in these companies generally travel through a designated system, thus creating a greater demand for labor
- Express services
These service providers also rely on strong standardization as well as automation, and in the US they often use transport aircraft. In Europe, the concepts of express services and parcel transportation are mixed together due to the short distances involved.
In order to clearly separate themselves from the offerings of shipping companies and survive in a highly competitive market, KEP service providers are forced to provide many additional services to their customers. In addition to delivery within a certain time window (delivery by 08:00, 10:00 or 12:00), the possibility of continuous tracking of the shipment via the Internet, the choice of fast means of transport (airplane instead of truck) or also the transport of difficult goods (hazardous materials, chilled goods, sensitive material patterns) also count. High timeliness of goods as well as additional services are reflected in higher fees. Important representatives of this market segment are companies such as UPS, DHL, FedEx, TNT (international), DPD, Hermes or GLS (domestic or European).